Electronic apparatus and fuel cell control method for electronic apparatus

Abstract

An electronic apparatus is provided which includes a fuel cell device configured to supply electrical power to the electronic apparatus; a temperature sensor configured to measure, other than at the fuel cell device, temperature within the electronic apparatus; a power storage unit configured to store electrical power generated by the fuel cell device; a remaining power detector configured to measure remaining electrical power in the power storage unit; and a controller configured to control operation of the fuel cell device based on output from the temperature sensor and remaining power detector.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, such as a video camera or a digital camera, that employs a fuel cell device as a power source, and a fuel cell control method for an electronic apparatus. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] For electronic apparatuses such as video cameras, rechargeable secondary batteries are generally employed as power sources. These secondary batteries are, for example, lithium ion secondary batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries and lead-acid storage batteries. In many cases, for an electronic apparatus that includes a secondary battery, when the power provided by a battery is reduced during a battery-operated period, a low power display is provided via a display unit, and when the available battery power is equal to or lower than a specific level, the power is disconnected automatically. [0005] On the other hand, fuel cells have b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] An aspect of the present invention is to enable temperature management, for an electronic apparatus that employs a fuel cell device as a power source, without adversely affecting the functioning of the apparatus.

[0027] According to the present invention, consonant with the electronic apparatus that employs the fuel cell device as a power source, the temperatures at the several portions of the electronic apparatus, other than at the fuel cell device, and the operation of the fuel cell device are controlled based on the detected temperatures. Therefore, temperature management of the electronic apparatus is enabled, so that the apparatus can be operated correctly without the function being deteriorated due to heat generated by the fuel cell device.

Problems solved by technology

For a mobile electronic apparatus for which a reduction in the size and the weight of a fuel cell is requested, the use of a large hydrogen tank or a heavy hydrogen absorbed alloy is difficult.

Thus, the additional source of heat may adversely affect proper function of the apparatus.

For example, in a case where for an image pickup apparatus that includes a CCD as an image pickup device, the temperature exceeds a specific level, a pixel defect may occur because of the characteristics of the CCD.

Such a defect is called a white scratch because it appears that white light is being emitted, and for a screen display, this is a quality defect.

Further, most individual operating devices include LSIs or other electronic components which have heat endurance limitations, and when the temperature in the apparatus with such components is raised excessively, function failures may occur.

In addition, when magnetic tape is employed for recording / reproduction, temperature dependant characteristics, related to the type of tape material and the method by which magnetic powder is applied to this material, contribute to such deterioration as the easy scratching of tape, which can occur at high temperatures.

Above all, since when a mobile apparatus is employed it is held in a user's hand, the excessive generation of heat during operation can discomfort a user, and can considerably degenerate the usability of the apparatus.

As described above, while a fuel cell can perhaps be inconvenient, in that the internal temperature of an apparatus is increased, at high temperatures, the reaction of the fuel cell is advanced and the functioning of the fuel cell is improved.

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